Most people in footy circles had just about crossed the Dockers off in 2025 premiership reckoning following their 57-point home loss to Brisbane in round 23.
It meant Fremantle had to beat the Bulldogs in Melbourne to secure finals football and avoid a second consecutive year of flaming out in the hunt for September.
According to Freo star Andrew Brayshaw, the Perth club relished that negative commentary as they overcame a slow start to stun the Dogs by 15 points and lock up a home final.
“Everyone had written us off, which is good, we like being the underdogs,” Brayshaw told Fox Sports after Sunday's game.
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“We’ve actually travelled really well and played some really good away games, so internally we were really confident. We learned a lot from the Brisbane loss last week.
“Like I said, everyone said we were going to lose, so it was just good to come out here and outside the first quarter, play our style of footy.
“Everyone was saying that last week was (Nathan Fyfe's) last home game.
"But up until the Brisbane loss, we had won 10 of our last 11, so it’s funny how quickly everyone can write you off.”
The Dockers have been under scrutiny this season for some inconsistent football, with coach Justin Longmuir's future just about a weekly topic of discussion.
After trailing by 15 points at quarter-time against the Dogs, the situation was looking dire.
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But the Dockers responsed in sensational style, kicking seven unanswered goal in the second term and withstanding a final quarter flurry to lock in their place in the finals and seemingly quieten some of the noise over their head coach.
Brayshaw couldn't hide his excitement at locking up a home final in week one, which will be against either the Hawks or Suns.
“Our defence was a bit sloppy in the first quarter," he said. "(The Bulldogs) sliced us up through the middle, so we made sure we tightened that up.
“They had everything to play for as well, so we knew it was going to be a desperate and physical game.
“In that second quarter, we were super strong in the corridor, and then the exciting stuff happens after that.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys and now we get a home final which is f**king awesome.”
Hawthorn is currently slated to take on the Dockers in an elimination final, although the Gold Coast could snatch seventh place if they record a dominant victory over the Bombers on Wednesday night.